MORE than 50 Southend schools are set to be affected by teacher strikes, with a grammar school headteacher insisting the Government should be embarrassed at not engaging with union talks.

Teachers will walk out on Wednesday and Thursday in a row over pay and funding for the education system.

Large numbers of Essex teachers are set to join demonstrations in London on Wednesday.

Get more great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter - don't miss out!

 

Robin Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys and former National Education Union president, said: “The Westminster Government should be deeply embarrassed by their refusal to engage in ACAS-mediated talks with the unions.

“In Scotland a negotiated settlement has already been reached, before industrial action was suspended, with significant and affordable increases to teacher pay.

“In Wales, the minister met with union representatives - during the strikes - and a fully-funded pay proposal is now on the table.

“It is time for the Education Minister, Gillian Keegan MP, to stop prevaricating and show her principled support for the education workforce in England.”

READ MORE >> 

He added: “It is no surprise that teachers are deeply concerned for the future education of our children and the vital pipeline of high-quality trained classroom practitioners that is being jeopardised through pay erosion and funding cuts.

“Individual teachers will this week, once again, be making a principled decision whether to strike with the interests of children and families at the heart of their considerations: to protect school funding, secure competitive salaries, and invest in the future of the profession.”

Earlier this month, hundreds of south Essex teachers headed to in Parker’s Piece in Cambridge with a march through the city, as passionate teachers chanted and waved placards.

Speaking ahead of this week’s strikes, Murray Sackwild, Essex branch secretary and caseworker of the National Education Union, said: “We are expecting the greatest number of school pickets and closures yet, across Essex, Southend and Thurrock on Thursday.

“We were all hoping that this wouldn’t be necessary but unlike in Scotland and Wales, no offer has been made to put to our members. As soon as we receive an offer our members will respond. Gillian Keegan has stated that there is an offer but won’t reveal what it is unless we cancel this week’s strikes.”